Workout definition and tracking methods

Abstract

We have disclosed a modular personal network (MPN) that includes multiple devices that may be worn, carried, or used in close proximity to a user. The devices communicate wirelessly. Functions of the MPN may be modified by adding or removing components. The MPN may communicate with a personal computer. General purpose devices may include a control unit, a display, a user input, and an audio output. The MPN may provide a variety of functions, including time, communication, entertainment, organization, guidance, athletic, medical, travel, outdoors, identity, security, and military.

1. A method of providing an athletic workout comprising:
 allowing a user to define a plurality of workout sessions using a workout definition station, wherein each of the workout sessions comprises a set of workout parameters, and wherein the plurality of sets of workout parameters includes a first set of workout parameters containing at least one workout parameter that is not present in a second set of workout parameters; 
 downloading the plurality of sets of workout parameters into a mobile athlete subsystem configured to be worn by an athlete during a workout, wherein the mobile athlete subsystem is configured:
 to use at least one set of the plurality of sets of workout parameters during the athlete's workout to control an aspect of the workout, 
 to collect a set of workout results for each set of workout parameters used during the athlete's workout, wherein the one or more set of workout results collected include exercise information received from a remote sensor using a network component, and 
 to upload the one or more sets of workout results into the workout definition station. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein allowing the user to define the plurality of workout sessions comprises allowing a coach of the user to define the plurality of workout sessions. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein allowing the user to define the plurality of workout sessions comprises automatically generating at least one set of the plurality of sets of workout parameters based on information about the user. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein allowing the user to define the plurality of workout sessions comprises generating at least one set of the plurality of sets of workout parameters based on one or more prior workout results uploaded to the workout definition station during or after a prior workout. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the workout parameters comprise a type, duration, number of repetitions, target intensity, day and time of workout, target heart rate, target cadence, target power, or target speed. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the workout definition station comprises a personal computer. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the workout definition station comprises the Internet. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the workout results comprises speed, stride length, heart rate, cadence, power, resistance, or location. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein controlling an aspect of the workout comprises displaying a prompt to the user, outputting a prompt to the user, controlling resistance, controlling speed, or controlling a piece of exercise equipment. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the exercise information collected from the remote sensor using the network component includes the exercise information collected from a piece of exercise equipment. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  further comprising displaying the one or more sets of workout results on the workout definition station. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  further comprising allowing the user to define one or more goals on the workout definition station and comparing the one or more sets of workout results to the one or more goals. 
     
     
       13. A method of controlling an athletic workout of a single activity type comprising allowing a user to divide the workout into a plurality of sections with a plurality of goals, allowing the user to define a parameter to be controlled during one of the plurality of sections, collecting input during the one section, monitoring the parameter during the one section using the collected input, and providing an output based on the monitored parameter and the user definition during the one section. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein dividing the workout into a plurality of sections comprises specifying a duration of a section, a distance of a section, a repetition of a section, or a grouping of sections. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  wherein the parameter comprises intensity, heart rate, speed, power, or cadence. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  further comprising allowing the user to define multiple parameters to be controlled and monitoring the multiple parameters. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13  wherein defining a parameter to be controlled comprises defining a desired profile or a rate of change for the parameter. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13  wherein providing an output comprises sending an audible prompt or controlling a piece of exercise equipment. 
     
     
       19. A method of estimating data samples in a mobile athletic data collection and logging system comprising collecting athletic performance data samples using a device worn or carried by an athlete, recognizing that one or more data samples are invalid, estimating values for the invalid samples, and storing or displaying the estimated values along with the collected data samples not recognized as invalid.